Councillor Mark Cory, Leader of the Council, and Councillor Theresa Higgins, Portfolio Holder for Commercial Services, have visited the new Colchester Northern Gateway Sports Park as the final touches are being made ahead of April’s opening.
Their visit was to see first-hand how the new £28.8 million Sports Park will be enjoyed by residents and visitors once lockdown ends. The brand new Sports Park is scheduled to open on 26 April 2021, should Government guidelines allow.
Final decorations and signage are being installed before it opens. Many will have seen the Northern Gateway Sports Park under construction just off of junction 28 of the A12 – residents will soon get the chance to visit and enjoy the finished site.
Cllr Theresa Higgins, Portfolio Holder for Commercial Services, said: “Colchester’s Northern Gateway Sports Park is a truly remarkable facility for the borough.
“The one-mile cycle track will offer a range of experiences for both adults and children, whether they want a safe space to ride or a track to challenge themselves and improve. Adaptive bikes will be available to hire to enable cycling for all and Learn to Ride programs will be available so children can learn how to ride their bicycle safely.
“Alongside the cycle track there is a pump track for children, 3G pitches, grass rugby pitches, a multi-use sports centre (Leisure World Northern Gateway), indoor cricket, badminton, futsal, Activa gym, exercise and dance studios, an interaction Velo studio, and so much more.
“With acres of open green spaces, with further extensive planting planned, and craft coffee and treats at Paddy & Scott’s, there is something for everyone at the Northern Gateway Sports Park.
“I am incredibly excited to see families enjoying Colchester’s newest tourism attraction and I look forward to seeing how the Sports Park grows in the future.”
Cllr Mark Cory, Leader of Colchester Borough Council, said: “Everyone in the borough should be proud of the new facilities at the Northern Gateway Sports Park. I enjoyed having a go on the cycle track myself and look forward to seeing families and people of all abilities racing along the track soon. There are so many sports available here to have a go at; the sports hall is looking amazing, with state of the art gym, cycling and fitness studios included too.
“Last week we announced that the Women’s Tour will arrive in Colchester in 2021, this will see almost 100 of the world’s elite female cyclists racing through the Sports Park. In the future the cycle track will continue to be visited by some of the best cyclists for personal training and used for events. As a keen cyclist myself, this is incredibly exciting.
“I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the build of the Sports Park. From my visit it is obvious that a lot of love and passion has gone into the facility.”
When the Northern Gateway Sports Park opens on 26 April it will be at a reduced capacity due to Government guidelines. Residents and visitors will be able to begin a membership, explore the site, breath in the open 76 acres of green and open spaces and enjoy a take-away coffee at Paddy & Scott’s.
The £28.8 million development is part of a wider sport and leisure development, all being project managed by Colchester Amphora Trading Ltd. It has been supported by funding from groups including British Cycling, Sport England, and from England and Wales Cricket Board.
Anyone interested in finding out more about hiring the new sport facilities, which will be managed by the council, can complete an expression of interest form by visiting colchesterleisureworld.co.uk/northerngatewaysportspark.
Page last reviewed: 17 March 2021